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Following the recent commencement of the Beamish & Crawford Quarter and Bishop Lucey Park works, Cork City Council has confirmed the imminent start of the Morrison’s Island Public Realm and Flood Defence project. Jons Civil Engineering Company Ltd. has been appointed as the main contractor for the project.
Supported by the Office of Public Works (OPW), this project will transform the area along Morrison’s Quay and Father Mathew Quay between Parnell Bridge and Parliament Bridge, including a section on Union Quay at Trinity Bridge.
The project aims to deliver:
- High-quality, upgraded, and accessible streetscape with new footpaths, public seating, new plaza space, and a river viewing platform at Parnell Bridge.
- Integrated flood defences to protect against 1-in-100-year tidal flooding events, safeguarding approximately 400 city centre properties.
- A new 3-metre-wide riverside promenade along Morrison’s Quay and Father Mathew Quay.
- Rerouted traffic movement and reduced parking to improve conditions for pedestrians, wheelchair users, and cyclists, including the provision of cycle parking.
- Refurbished and strengthened quay walls to ensure long-term integrity.
- Public realm improvements at the entrances to Trinity Bridge, including new public seating.
- Refurbished and enhanced heritage features, including street lamps and bollards.
- Enhanced views of, and access to, the River Lee.
- Enhanced planting, including trees and pollinator-friendly herbaceous plants.
Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Kieran McCarthy, welcomed the commencement of works, stating:
“The Morrison’s Island Scheme is the city’s opportunity to bring about comprehensive regeneration of this historic part of the city and to re-orientate it towards the river, transforming it into a top-class public space, and highlighting features of architectural and heritage interest.”
Minister Kieran O’Donnell T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform with responsibility for the OPW, expressed his support:
“Projects such as Morrison’s Island show the OPW’s and the Government’s commitment to enable our local authorities to undertake very important local flood relief works that are integrated with other developments for the community and so provide a wider social and economic benefit to the community they are protecting.”
Ann Doherty, Chief Executive of Cork City Council, added:
“This scheme will transform the Morrison’s Island area of the city and provide much-needed flood protection to hundreds of residents and businesses. This south-facing riverside area has so much more to offer and Cork City Council, with the support of the OPW, is unlocking that potential.”
Aaron Mansworth, President of the Cork Business Association (CBA), described the project as “transformative for Morrison’s Island and the entire city.” He highlighted the multi-million euro redevelopment of the Old Moore’s Hotel site and the essential flood protection the scheme will provide.
Conor Healy, Chief Executive of Cork Chamber, emphasised the importance of climate adaptation, noting:
“The commencement of the Morrison’s Island Public Realm and Flood Protection Scheme is wholeheartedly welcomed by Cork Chamber after many years advocacy. Our city centre businesses and residents deserve the protection from flooding that the scheme will provide.”
The first phase of construction will take place at the junction of Morrison’s Quay and South Mall, creating an enhanced plaza area and riverside viewing platform. Local traffic diversions will be implemented to facilitate the works, but local access and pedestrian and cycling access will remain.
The project is expected to be completed within approximately 20 months. For more information and updates, visit www.morrisonsisland.ie.